January 26, 2026
Former NFL quarterback
Philip Rivers has withdrawn from the Buffalo Bills' head coaching search, per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. Garafolo reports that NFL head coaching "might very well be in (Rivers') future, just not right now." After initially hanging up his cleats at the end of the 2020 season, Rivers came out of retirement at age 44 and finished the 2025 season as the starting quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts. He has coached high school football, but has no coaching experience at the NFL level. Buffalo moved on from long-time head coach Sean McDermott after the team's recent AFC Divisional Round loss to the Denver Broncos. McDermott went 98-50 in the regular season across nine years as the head man in Buffalo and led the team to seven consecutive double-digit win seasons from 2019 through 2025. However, Buffalo has not yet broken through past the AFC Championship Game since the emergence of star quarterback
Josh Allen. A clear favorite to replace McDermott has yet to emerge, but the Bills appear to be casting a wide net in their search.
--Will BradySource: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
January 23, 2026
Former Indianapolis Colts quarterback
Philip Rivers and current St. Michael Catholic High School coach Philip Rivers is interviewing on Friday for the Buffalo Bills' head-coaching job, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Rivers surprisingly came out of retirement to play for the Colts again in 2025 after
Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending Achilles tear. The 44-year-old eight-time Pro Bowler threw for 544 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions in his three starts, but he was unable to help the Colts get into the playoffs before retiring for the second time. Rivers is now interested in coaching at the NFL level, although he feels like more of a long shot to land the Bills' head-coaching job with zero prior coaching experience in the NFL. However, maybe there's a chance he wins over quarterback
Josh Allen, who is going to have significant say in who the next head coach in Buffalo is.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
January 22, 2026
The FBI is investigating the death of Jim Irsay, the former owner of the Indianapolis Colts. Irsay died on May 25, 2025, due to cardiac arrest while vacationing in Beverly Hills at the age of 65. The FBI recently began investigating the cause of his death after obtaining a federal grand jury subpoena requesting records on his death, substance use, and his relationship with his addiction recovery specialist, Dr. Harry Haroutunian. Haroutunian oversaw Irsay's health before his passing. Haroutunian has assisted Irsay with his many battles with substance abuse and was responsible for giving him opioid prescriptions and a ketamine injection shortly after his relapse, which he suffered months before his death. Irsay's father, Robert Irsay, became the owner of the Colts in a trade in which he sent the Rams' ownership rights to Carroll Rosenbloom in exchange for the Colts. Currently, Irsay's daughters, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, and Kalen Jackson, serve as co-owners of the franchise, with Carlie serving as CEO.
--Andy SmithSource: The Washington Post
January 16, 2026
When asked if quarterback
Anthony Richardson Sr. (eye) had a role on the team next season, Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen was non-committal while referring to Richardson's eye injury that caused him to end the year on Injured Reserve, according to The Athletic's James Boyd. General manager Chris Ballard also openly theorized about
Riley Leonard being the backup in 2026 if Richardson "doesn't get to where we think he can be." Boyd assumes that the Colts won't want to pick up Richardson's fifth-year option, since the former fourth overall pick in 2023 has played in just 15 games in his first three years due to various injuries. The 23-year-old is still recovering from an orbital fracture that affected the vision in his right eye. When healthy, A-Rich hasn't sustained a high level of play for the Colts, which is why they brought in
Daniel Jones (Achilles) in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - James Boyd
January 16, 2026
The Athletic's James Boyd writes that Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Michael Pittman Jr. sits atop the list of potential big names that the Colts could part with this offseason due to salary considerations, mutual decision, or poor performance. Pittman pretty much admitted after the season finale in Week 18 that he could have played his last game with the team. He has a $29 million salary cap hit in 2026, but the Colts would clear $24 million in cap space with only $5 million in dead money if they release him. Boyd thinks Pittman will either have to restructure his contract with Indy or play elsewhere next season. The sense is that Pittman doesn't want to leave, but
Alec Pierce took over as the Colts' top wideout in 2025, with Pittman catching 80 passes for 784 yards (second-fewest of his career), although he did have a career-high seven touchdowns.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - James Boyd
January 8, 2026
Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard said the team plans to re-sign quarterback
Daniel Jones (Achilles) this offseason, according to Stephen Holder of ESPN. "I'm looking at him both near and long [term]," Ballard said of Jones, adding, "When you're chasing the quarterback all the time, it makes it very hard. Your margin for error really shrinks down. And I feel very good about Daniel Jones and where he's at, where he's going. Yes, he's got the Achilles. But I think Daniel Jones has got a really bright future here in Indianapolis." The 28-year-old tore his Achilles in Week 14, and the Colts ended up missing the playoffs after starting 8-2. Meanwhile, former first-rounder
Anthony Richardson Sr.'s future in Indy is in question after losing the starting job to Jones and then suffering a season-ending orbital fracture in October. Jones threw for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight picks in 13 starts before his season-ending Achilles tear. He proved in 2025 that he has QB1 upside in the Colts' offense, but his lengthy injury history makes him more of a QB2 target in fantasy drafts.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Stephen Holder
January 7, 2026
Indianapolis Colts quarterback
Riley Leonard was impressive in his first career start in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Houston Texans, going 39-for-67 passing for 415 yards and two touchdowns, although he did throw three interceptions and lost a fumble. Leonard displayed second- and third-level touch and accuracy from the pocket, which was one of his biggest question marks coming into the NFL. Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan thinks it's unfair to wonder if Leonard can be the next
Brock Purdy, but it's realistic to ask if he could be the team's long-term backup behind the oft-injured
Daniel Jones (Achilles). Bowen believes Leonard's performance against the top defense in the league in the regular-season finale proves that he should be considered as QB insurance for the Colts if they run it back with Jones in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: 107.5 The Fan - Kevin Bowen
January 5, 2026
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Charvarius Ward (head) is considering retirement due to debilitating migraine headaches, according to Nathan Brown of the Indianapolis Star. Ward suffered a concussion in the Week 14 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars and ended up missing the final four games of the season as a result. It was the 29-year-old's third concussion of the year, prompting him to consider his future going into the offseason. In total, Ward missed 10 games in 2025 due to his concussions. "If I walk away, I won't regret it," Ward said. He finished with only 25 tackles (17 solo), seven pass breakups, and a fumble recovery in his eight starts in his first year in Indy. Over eight NFL seasons, Ward has a total of 460 tackles (338 solo), one sack, 10 interceptions, 77 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 109 regular-season games (96 starts).
--Keith HernandezSource: Indianapolis Star - Nathan Brown
January 5, 2026
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said on Monday that he thinks quarterback
Daniel Jones (Achilles) will want to run it back with the team in 2026, and that the team would like to have him back, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. The Colts were well on their way to a playoff spot and were battling for the top seed in the AFC until Jones suffered a torn right Achilles tendon in Week 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 28-year-old did more than enough for the Colts to want him back next year as their starting QB after he completed a career-best 68% of his 384 pass attempts for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 13 starts. Jones added 164 rushing yards and five TDs on the ground. Barring a setback with his rehab from an Achilles tear, Jones figures to be ready right around the start of training camp in late July.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - James Boyd
January 5, 2026
Mike Chappell, a long-time sports journalist who covers the Indianapolis Colts, reported that head coach Shane Steichen said there is a "mutual desire" for
Daniel Jones (Achilles) to return to Indianapolis as the starting quarterback for the Colts once healthy. Jones had himself a phenomenal 2025 season before injuring his Achilles in Week 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He led the Colts to an 8-2 record before the team lost its last seven games, finishing the season with an 8-9 record. The Colts brought Jones in over the off-season on a one-year, $14M contract, and with him expected to be an unrestricted free agent in the off-season, there appears to be interest in having him return to quarterback the Colts in 2026. Latest reports suggest Jones will be ready for training camp in 2026. The 28-year-old threw for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, while rushing for 164 yards on 45 rushing attempts and five scores over 13 games in 2025.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: Mike Chappell
January 4, 2026
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard will return for the 2026 season, according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport. The Colts were one of the hottest teams in football for the first half of the season, but a season-ending Achilles injury to
Daniel Jones in Week 14 derailed Indianapolis' campaign. They finished the season on a seven-game losing streak and limped to an 8-9 record, putting them third in the AFC South ahead of only the Tennessee Titans. Nevertheless, it's fair to assume that things would have gone differently if Jones stayed healthy, and neither Steichen nor Ballard should take too much blame for the late-season collapse. They'll get a chance to regroup this offseason and prepare to compete again in 2026.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ian Rapoport
January 4, 2026
Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback
Riley Leonard was productive during his first career start against the Houston Texans in Week 18. Leonard completed 21 of 34 passing attempts for 270 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. The sixth-round pick also rushed three times for 21 yards and another score. Leonard also lost two fumbles, so he'll need to work on his ball-handling in the offseason. The quarterback situation is unclear heading into the offseason.
Daniel Jones (Achilles) looked solid this season, but he is a pending free agent and recovering from a significant injury.
Anthony Richardson Sr. (eye) barely played in 2025, and it's unclear if the Colts view him as part of their future.
Philip Rivers played a few games down the stretch for the Colts, but he will now retire for the second time. Leonard is worth a stash in dynasty formats, but he probably isn't viewed as the franchise QB in Indy.
--Andy WebbSource: ESPN
January 4, 2026
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Alec Pierce caught four of his seven targets for 132 yards and two touchdowns during Sunday's Week 18 loss against the Houston Texans. His touchdowns came from eight and 66 yards out. Pierce was having a great outing and operating as
Riley Leonard's favorite target before a costly mistake late in the game. With less than two minutes remaining in the third quarter, Pierce failed to haul in a pass near the back of the end zone. He pleaded his case for a pass interference penalty, and while doing so, he made contact with the official. As a result, Pierce was automatically disqualified from the game. Amid the blemish on an otherwise spectacular Week 18, the 25-year-old put the finishing touches on the best season of his career. In 2025, he caught 47 passes for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns while ranking as a top-36 fantasy receiver.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
January 4, 2026
Indianapolis Colts quarterback
Philip Rivers is officially a healthy scratch for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Houston Texans. Rookie
Riley Leonard will make the start to close out the year, with
Seth Henigan set to work as the backup. The Colts brought the 44-year-old Rivers out of retirement after
Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending torn Achilles. Rivers was unable to save Indy's season, losing all three of his starts against the Seahawks, 49ers, and Jaguars. He completed 63% of his 92 pass attempts for 544 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions in his three games played. Rivers predictably struggled with his arm strength, but he wasn't terrible. The eight-time Pro Bowler already announced that he'll be retiring for a second time following this weekend's game.
--Keith HernandezSource: Indianapolis Colts
January 4, 2026
Retired quarterback
Philip Rivers is expected to field interest as a head coaching candidate during the upcoming NFL hiring cycle, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. While Rivers retired from playing in the NFL for a second time last week, it appears he could return to the league very soon in a coaching capacity. Rapoport writes that "the current belief is Rivers gets at least one opportunity to interview, possibly more." As it stands, only the Tennessee Titans and New York Giants have head coaching vacancies. However, teams like the Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, and Atlanta Falcons could all have openings after the regular season wraps up. Rivers, who went 58-for-92 passing with 544 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions from Week 15 through Week 17, already has experience in coaching. He spent time coaching at the high school level between his two NFL stints. Of course, there's a big difference between taking interviews and actually being offered a head coaching job, so it's far from guaranteed that we see Rivers back on NFL sidelines next season. Nevertheless, it sounds like there's real interest from pro teams.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ian Rapoport
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